If you’re looking for a kids electric bike, you’ve probably already discovered that they are not that easy to find. The good news is that we’ve done all the research for you.
Here is a list of the best kids electric bikes including mountain bikes, city/recreational bikes, and balance bikes. We’ll also go over the pros and cons of e-bikes for kids, availability in North America vs. Europe, and the legality of kids electric bikes.
June 2023: Edited to remove the Haibike Hard Four and Scott Roxter E-ride (both of which have been discontinued) update prices, and add additional purchasing options.
Table Of Contents
Reasons To Choose An E-Bike | Mountain Bikes |
Reasons NOT To Buy An E-Bike | City Bikes |
Availability in N. America vs. Europe | Balance Bikes |
Legality | Comparison Chart |
Reasons To Choose An Electric Bike For Your Child
While there is lots of controversy around electric bikes for kids, I believe there are a few really good reasons to get one.
Mountain Biking
Lets admit it: mountain biking is HARD. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of mountainous terrain.
An e-mountain bike can help your child to go on longer rides with more vertical climbing than they could without one. This may be particularly important for families who like to do big backcountry rides.
Around Town Commuting
We know that one of the best ways we can combat climate change is to drive less. Bicycling is a great way to do your around town commutes without a car.
But for kids, bike commuting can be both slow and exhausting, especially if you live in an area with a lot of hills. For these families, a kids e bike can make a lot of sense to help make the school commute easier.
Another option worth mentioning is that if your child doesn’t need to ride their own bike, you could opt for an electric cargo bike instead. With these bikes mom or dad can haul the kiddos along.
Transition To Dirt Bikes / Motorcycles
If you are a dirt bike (or motorcycle) family, an electric balance bike or small pedal bike can be a good way to get your child accustomed to a motor before throwing them on a motorcycle.
Reasons NOT To Buy An Electric Bike
- Legality – I’ll talk more about the legality of an electric bike here in a moment, but just know that it may not be legal for your child to ride an electric bike where you live.
- Cost – A good quality electric bike costs significantly more than a bike without a motor.
- Exercise – Kids now a days already lack getting enough exercise. If your purpose for getting an electric bike is so your child doesn’t have to work as hard, you may want to reconsider.
- Maintenance – Electric bikes are harder and more expensive to maintain. You also have to remember to charge it between uses and store it out of the wet and the cold.
Availability in Europe Vs North America
Europe is several years ahead of North America in terms of accepting electric bikes. Many of the bikes on this list are available ONLY in Europe. We’ve made note of which bikes are offered in North America with the hopes that more will become available in the next few years.
Legality
Let me start off by saying I am not a lawyer, I am not an expert on this topic, and I can not be held liable for any choice you may make as a result of reading this article.
That said, the legality of kids riding electric bikes is all over the place depending on the country or state you live in. In the United States, minimum age requirements for riding on the road are set by the state. Some states have no minimum, others require kids to be 15 or 16 to ride on the road.
What about off-road? Again, this is largely regulated by the local authorities in your area. Check before riding on a trail to see if e-bikes are allowed or not.
- More Info: Electric Bicycle Laws
Kids Electric Mountain Bikes
There are several really excellent options for 24 inch and 26 inch kids mountain bikes. If you are climbing big mountains, one of these bikes will help your kiddo keep up.
Commencal Meta HT 24 Power
The Commencal Meta HT 24 Power, is the popular Meta HT sized down for kids and with a pedal assist added. It has a SHIMANO E7000 engine, 500wh battery, and three power levels.
The rest of bike is built up with top-notch components including a MANITOU Junit 24 120mm fork, Ride Alpha cranks, KS dropper, and Vee Tire co rubber. The only thing to keep in mind is that if the battery runs out, this thing will be a beast for kids to pedal. It weighs in at 41 pounds.
Size: 24″
Availability: N. America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand
Price & Where To Buy:
- $3,800 List
- Buy at ReadySetPedal.com*
- Buy at CommencalUSA.com
Woom UP
The Woom UP is an upgraded version of the Woom OFF AIR with pedal assist as well as upgraded components.
The bike has a Fazua drive system: 500w motor, 250 Wh battery, and 55Nm of torque. And of course it meets the Woom standards for being lightweight. Even with the e-assist it still manages to weigh in at 16 kg / 35 pounds.
We also appreciate the Promax hydraulic disc brakes, 80mm air sprung suspension fork, thru-axles, and Woom child-appropriate components. These include a flip-flop stem and shorter crank arms.
Read Our Review: Woom UP
Size: 24″ and 26″
Availability: N. America, Europe
Price & Where To Buy:
- $3,799/$3,999 List
- Buy at Woom.com*
Cube Acid 240
The Cube Acid 240 comes in two different models (and pricepoints): the Rookie and the SL. Both have a reliable Bosch drive system, as well as child-specific components.
The Acid 240 SL has a 80mm air sprung suspension fork, Magura hydraulic disc brakes, and junior-sized handlebar and grips. The only thing to consider again is the weight. The bike comes in at 41 pounds.
Size: 24″
Availability: Europe
Price & Where To Buy:
- €1,599.00 €1,799.00 List
- Buy at Cube.eu
Mondraker F-Play
The Mondraker F-Play is a stealthy looking e-bike. The Mahle hub motor and 250wh battery are hidden in the frame.
The bike doesn’t just look sleek; everything else about it is pretty rad too. It has 10mm of travel both front and rear with custom-tuned fork and shock. There are Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano Deore drivetrain, and our favorite kids saddle–the SDG Fly JR.
Weight for the 24 inch build is a respectable 36 pounds.
Availability: Europe, N. America, Australia, New Zealand
Size: 24″ and 26″
Price & Where To Buy:
- $3,999 / $4,499 List
- Buy at ReadySetPedal.com*
Kids Electric City Bikes
Unfortunately, there are virtually no kids bike designed for around town commuting or recreational riding. This is probably largely due to legal restrictions in many areas. That said, if your child is older (pre-teen and up), there are several smaller adult bikes that will fit young riders well.
RadPower Rad Mini
The RadPower Rad Mini isn’t a “kids” bike but the standover height is low enough that it can fit many pre-teens. The bike will fit riders with an inseam as short as 21 inches.
This is a folding bike which means that it is easy to fold up and store in your child’s room or a small apartment. You can also transport it in the car, on a bus, etc.
It’s also exceptionally affordable for the price, so if you are looking for a good-quality e-bike without breaking the bank, the Rad Mini is a good option.
Size: 20″ (while this bike has 20 inch wheels, it has a much larger frame than a regular kids 20 inch bike)
Price & Where To Buy:
- $1,449 List
- Buy at RadPower.com*
Pedego Element
Like the Rad Mini above, the Pedego Element is an adult e-bike that fits small riders (aka older kids) well. And unlike other bikes on this list, you’re likely to be able to find and test this bike at a local (Pedego) shop.
The fat tires mean that it can tackle sand, gravel paths, and big potholes. It’s a bit of a beast weight wise but has a 500 watt motor to help your kiddo along.
Availability: North America, Europe, South Africa
Size: 20″ (while this bike has 20 inch wheels, it has a much larger frame than a regular kids 20 inch bike)
Price & Where To Buy:
- $1,995 List
- Buy at Pedego.com
Kids Electric Balance Bikes
Electric balance bikes may be a good option for parents trying to transition their child from a balance bike to a dirt bike. If your not a moto family, however, we’d recommend sticking with a traditional balance bike.
Stacyc Balance Bike
The Stacyc balance bike is the first step for parents who are eager to get their little one on a dirt bike. It teaches kids to scoot and balance just like a traditional balance bike but also has a throttle.
The Stacyc comes in 12 inch, 16 inch, 18 inch, and 20 inch models to accommodate toddlers as young as 3 as well as older kids. The bike has 30-60 minutes of run time (when using the throttle), and can go up to 9 mph.
The bike weighs 19 pounds which isn’t bad when compared to a dirt bike, but may be too much for more petite kids to handle when not in e-mode.
Availability: North America
Sizes: 12″, 16″, 18″, 20″
Price & Where To Buy:
- $649+ List
- Buy at Stacyc.com
Mondraker Grommy
The Mondraker Grommy is a top of the line electric balance bike. It comes in both 12″ and 16″ versions, and is snazzy!
It has a rear disc brake for superior braking power (which kids need when they’re going fast), internal cable routing, and beefy Vee Tire Crown Gem tires.
You can also quickly and easily swap over batteries, so one can charge while your kiddo keeps riding on the other.
Availability: Europe, N. America, Australia, New Zealand
Sizes: 12″ and 16″
Price & Where To Buy:
- $1,249 / $1,599 List
- Buy at ReadySetPedal.com*
Revvi E Balance Bike
The Revvi E balance bike is the UK version of the Stacyc listed above. Very similar, the comes in a 12 inch size as well as 16 inch size.
The Revvi has a chain driven motor, and two speed levels (5mph and 10mph). It lasts between 45 minutes (slow speed) and 1 hour 15 minutes (fast speed).
Availability: UK
Sizes: 12″ and 16″
Price 7 Where To Buy:
- £325.00 / £425.00
- Buy at Revvi.co.uk
Other Kids E Bikes
We wouldn’t necessarily recommend any of these electric bikes, but if you are looking for a kids electric bike from Walmart or Amazon, here you go.
- Swagtron 20″ fat tire bike* (via Amazon)
- Segway Ninebot 16″ and 18″ bikes* (via Amazon)
- Hiboy balance bike* *(via Amazon)
Comparison Chart
Bike | Price | Type | Wheel Size | Motor | Battery | Weight (lbs) | Brakes | Fork | Drivetrain |
Commencal Meta HT 24 Power | $3,800 | MTB | 24″ | Shimano 250w, 60nm | Shimano 418 Wh | 41 | Shimano MT501 | Manitou Machete Junit 120mm | SRAM GX 1×10 |
Woom Up | $3,799/$3,999 | MTB | 24″ / 26″ | Fazua 250 watt, 55Nm torque | 250 Wh | 35 | Promax Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic air suspension fork with 80 mm trave | Narrow-wide direct-mount chainring 28T Cassette with 11-42 teeth |
Cube Acid 240 Hybrid | €1,599 / €1,799 | MTB | 24″ | Bosch Drive Unit Active GEN3 (40Nm) | PowerPack 400Wh | 41 | Magura MT Thirty | SR Suntour XCR LO Air JR, 80mm | Shimano Deore, 11-42T, 1×10 |
Mondraker F-Play | $3,999 / $4,499 | MTB | 24″ / 26″ | Mahle-Ebikemotion X-35 rear hub | Mahle-Ebikemotion 250wh | 36 | Tektro Auriga HDM291 | RockShox Judy Silver TK 100mmm | Shimano Deore |
RadPower Rad Mini | $1,449 | City | 20″ | 750W brushless Bafang geared hub motor 80NM torque | 48V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) with Lithium NMC Samsung 35E cells, | 67 | Tektro Aries | spring fork, 80 mm travel | Shimano Altus 7 speed |
Pedego Element | $1,995 | City | 20″ | Pedego 500 WATT NOMINAL POWER RATING; 45NM TORQUE | Pedego 48V 10AH | 57.2 | SHIMANO BR-M375 MECHANICAL DISC BRAKES | Rigid | SHIMANO HYPERGLIDE HG20 7 SPEED 12-32T; |
Stacyc | $649+ | Balance | 12″ /16″ / 18″ / 20″ | 2Ah | 17 | Rigid | N/A | ||
Mondraker Grommy | $1,249 / $1,599 | Balance | 12″ /16″ | MDK brushless 250w | 4 Ah | 16.5 | Tektro MD-510 Mechanical hydraulic | Rigid | N/A |
Revvi | £299.00 / £399.00 | Balance | 12″ /16″ | 24V 100w | 2.6Ah | 19 | Rear drum brake | Rigid | N/A |
More Reading
- Best Kids Mountain Bikes: 15 Brands that Deliver
- The Ultimate Guide To Kids Bike Sizes (And Bike Size Chart)
- 5 Best Kids Bikes Helmets
About Us
The Rascals are a family of three. Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for biking. As we learned, we shared. Over the years, we’ve tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.
Kristen is a USA Cycling certified coach and loves to share her passion for biking with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. Parker is our resident tester and inspiration.
If you see us out on the trail, make sure to say hi!
Hello
Did you know the 26″ E ST 500 from decathlon ?
Would help if there was kids age or height near each bike to help with buying decision